[Doug]

Hi All,
There's a lot of power in the simple I IV V progressions but sometimes it's hard to make them sound fresh. Here's some tips on a simple G C G D C G progression. I play these chords all in the open first position on the neck - no barres, but I change the flavour of the chords slightly. So for example I play the G like this...(which I think is a Gadd2 but it's still some version of a G)


----------------------------
------------3--------------
---2---0h2--2-----------------
---0---0--------------------
----------------------------
---3---3----3---------------


and then I play the C as a Cmaj7 and add the high B and C by using the 4th and 5th frets on the G string. Why do that when they're easily found on the B string? Because I find the G string has a nicer sound - it has a different timbre (pronounced tamber - go figger) and also you can have the open B string interplay with the C played on the G string. Major 7s sound cool when the chord arrangement places the 7 and the root close together like this.

----------------------------
-------0-------------------
---0---5--4--0--------------
---2---2--2--2--------------
---3---3--3--3--------------
----------------------------


and for the D, I play D/F# or the F# in the bass of the D like this...


----------------------------
-------3--0----------------
---2---2--2-----------------
---0------------------------
----------------------------
---2---2--2-----------------



The tabs I'm putting down are not accurate for the posted sound clip but they are the basis of the sound clip. I've done lots with hammer ons, pull offs etc. Some of the stretches are hard at first - they're good exercise for sure. The examples prolly don't work so well strummed because you'll get lots of non-chord tones mixed up. So these tabs are for finger style.

I hope this helps some people freshen up the sound of G C and D and also get people exploring different fingerings and flavours of chords.

[Dewy]

Very nice... I also love to take and put new twists on simple progressions. The list of what you can do with D, C, G is endless.

[pastorbob]

Very nice and smooth Doug! Soothing is the word!

[eddiez152]

Doug,
that was very nice, I got to try some these. Thank you for pointing them out.

[carol m]

I don't care what anyone says, its not humanly possible to reach the 5th fret G string (C) while also playing the E and C on the D and A string !

[carol m]

Aha, I can reach the 4th fret and then I can lift the D and A string and slide up to the 5th - (I'm telling myself that this makes it even more interesting). Thanks for posting Doug.

[Doug]

Thanks for the comments everyone.
Carol - keep trying, maybe repositiion your thumb or lift the neck to a more upright position. The pinky shouldn't have to stretch too much to get to the 5th fret of the G string. Oh, wait a sec - what finger are you using on the C on the A string? I'm using my second with my first on the E on the D string. If you're using your 3rd as you would with a standard C then, yes, it'd be quite a challenge to get up to the 5th fret.

[carol m]

Sadly I was doing it the way you do! I can only just reach the fret at the moment with no hope of reaching beyond it to play the note. But, I tried doing it with my left hand (as I used to) and could do it quite easily that way around. Practice, practice!

[knight46]

Good post Doug and great information. Loved the clip.

[Doug]

Thanks Knight. Hey Carol, I'll take it on faith that there's a good reason for the reversal of handedness.

[Doug]

Originally Posted by Doug

Thanks Knight. Hey Carol, I'll take it on faith that there's a good reason for the reversal of handedness.

Hi Carol, I just saw your left-handed thread. I'm very impressed. Keep at it - I'm sure you'll get all the dexterity that your left hand once had. When I started playing, I thought that guitars should naturally be played the other way anyway 'cause I figured that the fretting hand would need more dexterity than the picking hand.

Best of luck, carol.
-Doug

[carol m]

Thanks Doug. It's no harder than it was learning the first time.

[Doug]

Hi Carol,
why don't you try capoing up a few frets - that'll shorten the stretch.
-Doug

[carol m]

Originally Posted by Doug

Hi Carol,
why don't you try capoing up a few frets - that'll shorten the stretch.
-Doug

Good idea, thanks.